Winter Aspen Tree Palette Knife Painting by Niki Gulley

November 23, 2015
“Climbing Trees” ©2015 Niki Gulley
40” x 30” oil on canvas

Growing up in the midwest, I loved the first snowfall of the year when everything would get a beautiful dusting of pristine white powder, including even the tiniest of branches in the treetops above. If you caught that moment early enough in the morning before anything had disturbed the intricate frosted web, it was just magical. Then the sun would start rising and peeking through the limbs, and everything would sparkle like diamonds. In Climbing Trees, I wanted to capture that beautiful moment when the sunlight dances through the icing on the treetops and you can feel yourself looking up in wonderment just like you did when you were a kid.

To see more of my palette knife contemporary landscape paintings, visit nikigulley.com.
E-mail – Niki Gulley

“Embrace” textured birch oil painting by Niki Gulley

November 20, 2015
“Embrace” ©2015 Niki Gulley
textured oil painting • 36″ x 36″ on wrap around canvas
I like to play with blurring the lines between realism and abstraction so that some things are left up to the viewer’s imagination. In the case of “Embrace,” I chose this unusual, asymmetrical heart-shaped composition and teased your eye with foreground and background emerging and disappearing to create a more abstract scene. Choosing fiery reds contrasted against turquoise blues cause the colors to dance and vibrate. While diagonal strokes and a circular composition combined with the vibrant hues, create a sense of energy, movement and harmony. Using all of these elements, I wanted to create an uplifting, whimsical, passionate painting filled with youthful hope and discovery.

To see more of my contemporary landscape paintings, please visit nikigulley.com.
For more information on my palette knife birch and aspen tree paintings, please e-mail Niki Gulley.

New “Autumn Journey” Colorado Aspen Tree oil painting by Niki Gulley

November 18, 2015

“Autumn Journey” ©2015 Niki Gulley
30″ x 20″ textured oil on canvas in espresso floater frame

Inspired by a trip to Colorado in the fall, trying to catch the beautiful autumn aspens leaves before they dropped, we just caught the last glimpse of color before an early snowfall hit. The combination of golden leaves set against the vivid blue sky, and the cool snow shadows contrasted against glowing light highlights as the sun cast its warming rays, was a symphony to the eye! I hope you, too, can slow down and enjoy the beautiful scenery on this winding journey.
“Autumn Journey” is available through the Good Art Company gallery, goodartcompany.com/gac/.

If interested in more information, please e-mail Niki Gulley.

To see more of my textured aspen and birch paintings, please visit NikiGulley.com.

Just Sold – “Sharing Sunshine” Sunflower Painting by Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley

November 16, 2015
“Sharing Sunshine” ©2015 Niki Gulley
SOLD • 30″ x 48″ textured oil painting on wrap around canvas
Inspired by a trip to Provence, I was awestruck by these massive fields of sunflowers blooming and the vibrant red poppies growing at their feet. Seeing this brilliant carpet of gold, with its sea of faces smiling towards the sun, just made me feel happy and I wanted you to experience that joy, too. These cheerful sunflowers and poppies practically leap off the canvas with their vibrant petals and extremely thick three-dimensional paint.
For more information on textured sunflower and poppy paintings, please e-mail Niki Gulley.
Or, check out my website at: nikigulley.com.

“Aqua Dreams” Palette Knife Oil Painting by Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley

November 13, 2015

“Aqua Dreams” ©2015 Niki Gulley
36” x 60” textured oil on canvas

When we arrived at this tranquil spot, the early morning light was very cool in color, but as the sun began to rise from the horizon, it shone this beautiful warm light that shimmered on the water’s surface and cast its hope of what was to come from the brand new day. I remember the peacefulness I felt in that moment, and a sense that anything was possible. In Aqua Dreams, by showing the contrast in the cool aqua/blues in the foreground waters against the warm golden glow on the distant pond’s edge, I wanted to share that feeling of hope and promise communicated by nature.

To see more of my aspen and birch tree paintings, please visit nikigulley.com.
E-mail – Niki Gulley

New Palette Knife Aspen Tree Painting by Niki Gulley

November 11, 2015

“Intertwining Beauty” ©2015 Niki Gulley
36″ x 60″ textured oil on canvas
Intertwining Beauty was inspired by a recent trip to the Sangre de Cristo mountains. The aspen forest was so dense and beautiful. I loved the pops of vibrant fall colors peeking through the tall, tangled, web of white knobby trunks. Ruby reds grab your attention while staccato strokes of emerald, amethyst and topaz lead your eye around the canvas. I hope you can feel the energy found in nature and its power to invigorate your spirit.

I painted these aspen trees with extremely thick paint and palette knife. The resulting canvas is loaded with texture, color and energy! I’ve painted it on 1 and 1/2 inch deep stretcher bars, with the image continuing around the edges so that it can be hung as is frameless for a contemporary look. 

If interested in more information, please e-mail Niki Gulley.

To see more of my textured aspen and birch paintings, please visit NikiGulley.com.

Just Sold – “Fields of Joy” palette knife poppy painting by Niki Gulley

November 9, 2015
“Fields of Joy” ©2015 Niki Gulley
SOLD • 24″ x 36” textured oil painting on gallery wrap canvas

Just sold through the Good Art Company Gallery! Inspired from a wonderful trip to Provence, we were a little too early for the lavender to be blooming, but we rounded a corner leaving the hill town of Roussillon and came across this gorgeous field of poppies and yellow wildflowers. It was so colorful and joyful, it took my breath away! Set beneath a vibrant blue sky on a beautiful day in springtime, I wanted this piece to be uplifting and full of energy. Coming in close on the poppies in the foreground so that you could see their vibrant petals and buds about to pop, I left the field of gold softer in the background so as to not take away from the focal point. A typical stone farmhouse sets in the background, beckoning you to stay the night and let all of your cares drift away.

New “Woodland Drive” Palette Knife Oil Painting by Niki Gulley

November 6, 2015

“Woodland Drive” ©2015 Niki Gulley
9″ x 12″ textured oil painting

Painted on location with first brush and then palette knife for texture, I wanted to capture the joy I feel when fall arrives. Suddenly, the scenery goes from solid green to bursting with vibrant crimson, tangerine and gold. Keeping this painting loose so that you can see the diagonal strokes and feel the energy of the season, a sun-dappled road beckons you forth, inviting you to explore what’s beyond. I hope you, too, feel the joy and excitement of a crisp fall day!

“Woodland Drive” is available through the Good Art Company gallery, goodartcompany.com/gac/.

For more information on my textured palette knife birch and aspen tree oil paintings, please e-mail Niki Gulley.
Or, visit NikiGulley.com to see more of my contemporary landscape paintings.

New “A Spot in the Woods” Palette Knife Aspen Tree Painting by Niki Gulley

November 4, 2015

“A Spot in the Woods” ©2015 Niki Gulley
12″ x 9″ textured oil painting

This summer we visited Colorado to escape our Texas heat and soak in the natural beauty of the mountains. We stayed at this peaceful, tucked away b and b surrounded by a massive aspen grove. I wanted to capture the texture of the trees’ knotted bark and also the peaceful feeling of being immersed in nature. Arching the trunks around the focal point, creates a feeling of protection and also helps frame the subject. Their old red barn sets in the distance, creating contrast against the cool greens and greys surrounding it and addintg an exciting pop of color.

“A Spot in the Woods” is available through the Good Art Company gallery, goodartcompany.com/gac/.

For more information on my textured palette knife birch and aspen tree oil paintings, please e-mail Niki Gulley.
Or, visit NikiGulley.com to see more of my contemporary landscape paintings.

Just Sold – Colorado Aspen Tree Oil Painting by Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley

November 2, 2015
“Aspen Concerto” ©2015 Niki Gulley
SOLD • 24” x 18” textured oil painting
Colorado’s celebrated quaking aspen trees stand arrow straight in the valleys and
up and down the hills.
Slim white trunks sing out against the forest background and each leaf provides
a sparkling symphony of notes whispering through the mountains.
Flames of yellow leaves flicker against autumn’s burning reds
and the deep, cool blue mountain streaked with early banks of snow.
This painting captures the breathtaking colors of
Colorado in the fall, the Aspens at their most beautiful, the peaceful snow-banked mountain, the rustling murmur and musical sigh of the fluttering leaves.
E-mail Niki Gulley for more information on her contemporary landscape paintings.